In the fast-paced and high-octane world of kabaddi, while raiders often hog the limelight, it’s the defenders who are the true backbone of a team’s success. They are the brick wall that stops a raider’s charge, the master strategists who set up the perfect tackle, and the silent assassins who can change the course of a match in a single moment. The Pro Kabaddi League has been a showcase for some of the fiercest and most skilled defenders in the world, players who have turned defending into an art form. This is why a list of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders is so crucial to understanding the sport.
These players are defined not just by their tackle points but by their impact on the game. From the bone-crushing blocks to the perfectly timed ankle holds, their defensive prowess has created moments of sheer brilliance that are etched in the memories of fans. They have been the anchors of their teams, the leaders who have guided their squads to victory, and the legends who have set records that will be hard to break.
The history of the Pro Kabaddi League is filled with these warriors, and our list of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders is a tribute to their greatness. We’re celebrating the players who have mastered the art of the tackle, the ones who make a raid a nightmare for the opposition, and who truly deserve to be called the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders of all time. This is our definitive list of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders :
10. Surjeet Singh
Surjeet Singh is a powerhouse of a defender, known for his signature block and dash. He has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League for years and has played a key role in the success of multiple teams. His defensive prowess is built on his sheer strength and his ability to time his tackles to perfection, making him a nightmare for even the most agile of raiders. His leadership and ability to rally his defensive unit are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As a right-cover defender, Surjeet’s role is to stop raiders from escaping towards the midline. He has a knack for catching a raider off guard with a sudden block, often bringing them down with a single, powerful move. He has been a leader for teams like the Bengal Warriors and Puneri Paltan, and his defensive contributions have been immense. His consistent performance and his ability to deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations have earned him a spot on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. He is one of the most respected and feared players on this list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Surjeet Singh has over 400 tackle points in his career, making him one of the most successful defenders in PKL history. |
9. Parvesh Bhainswal
Parvesh Bhainswal is a defender known for his impeccable timing and his ability to work in a cohesive defensive unit. As a left-cover defender, he has been a pillar of strength for his teams, often working in tandem with the right-cover to execute devastating chain tackles. Bhainswal’s defensive style is a blend of patience and aggression, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and bring the raider down. His contributions to his teams’ success are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
Bhainswal has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League, and his defensive skills have been a key part of his teams’ strategies. He is known for his signature double ankle hold, which he uses to bring down even the most powerful of raiders. His ability to work in a team and execute a flawless defensive plan is a testament to his tactical brilliance. His consistent performance and his ability to deliver under pressure make him a deserving mention in any discussion of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. His defensive intelligence is why he is one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Parvesh Bhainswal has over 300 successful tackles in his PKL career |
8. Nitesh Kumar
Nitesh Kumar is a defender who made history in the Pro Kabaddi League by becoming the first player to score 100 tackle points in a single season. This incredible feat cemented his reputation as one of the most formidable defenders in the league’s history. As a right-corner defender, he has a knack for catching raiders off guard with his lightning-fast ankle holds and his ability to read the game, a key reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
Nitesh Kumar’s defensive style is a blend of speed and precision. He is a master of the ankle hold, which he uses to bring down raiders with a single, powerful move. His ability to lead a defensive unit and deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations has made him a fan favorite and a key player for his teams. His record-breaking season is a testament to his sheer dominance and his ability to perform at the highest level. His place in the record books is why he is on this list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Nitesh Kumar holds the record for the most tackle points in a single PKL season with 100 tackle points. |
7. Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj is a left-corner defender known for his ferocious ankle holds and his ability to single-handedly change the course of a match. He has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League, and his defensive skills have been a key part of his teams’ strategies. Bhardwaj’s defensive style is built on a foundation of aggression and a never-say-die attitude, making him a player that every raider fears. His ferocity on the mat is why he is one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As a left-corner defender, Bhardwaj’s role is to stop raiders from escaping towards the midline. He has a knack for catching a raider off guard with a sudden ankle hold, often bringing them down with a single, powerful move. His ability to deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations and his leadership on the mat have made him a fan favorite. His defensive prowess and his ability to turn a match on its head are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. The passion he brings to the mat is why he is one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Vishal Bhardwaj has over 300 tackle points in his PKL career, making him a formidable force in defense |
6. Ravinder Pahal
Ravinder Pahal is a right-corner defender known for his famous dash and his ability to deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations. He has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League for years and has played a key role in the success of multiple teams. Pahal’s defensive prowess is built on his experience and his ability to read a raider’s moves, making him a master strategist and a key part of our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As a right-corner defender, Pahal’s role is to stop raiders from escaping towards the midline. He has a knack for catching a raider off guard with a sudden dash, often bringing them down with a single, powerful move.
He has been a leader for teams like Dabang Delhi KC and Bengaluru Bulls, and his defensive contributions have been immense. His ability to deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations and his leadership on the mat have made him a fan favorite. His consistent performance and his ability to turn a match on its head are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. His experience is why he is on this list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Ravinder Pahal has over 300 tackle points in his PKL career and is known for his high-five count. |
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5. Surender Nada
Surender Nada is a defender known for his signature ankle hold, a move that he has perfected over the years to become one of the most effective in the league. He has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League and has played a key role in the success of teams like U Mumba and Haryana Steelers. Nada’s defensive style is a blend of patience and precision, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and bring the raider down. His famous move is why he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As a left-corner defender, Nada’s role is to stop raiders from escaping towards the midline. He has a knack for catching a raider off guard with his lightning-fast ankle hold, often bringing them down with a single, powerful move. His ability to deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations and his leadership on the mat have made him a fan favorite. His consistent performance and his ability to turn a match on its head are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. His consistency is what makes him one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Surender Nada was the best defender in Season 5 of PKL, a testament to his dominance in the league |
4. Sandeep Narwal
Sandeep Narwal is an all-rounder who is widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. His defensive prowess is built on his sheer strength and his ability to time his tackles to perfection, making him a nightmare for even the most agile of raiders. Narwal’s aggressive style and his ability to contribute in both raiding and defending make him a unique and valuable player, a key reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As an all-rounder, Narwal’s role is to contribute in both raiding and defending. In defense, he is known for his signature block and dash, which he uses to bring down raiders with a single, powerful move. His ability to lead a defensive unit and deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations has made him a fan favorite. His consistent performance and his ability to turn a match on its head are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. His unique skill set is what makes him one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Sandeep Narwal has over 300 tackle points and over 200 raid points, making him a true all-rounder. |
3. Girish Maruti Ernak
Girish Maruti Ernak is a defender known for his powerful blocks and his ability to read the game with a keen eye. As a left-corner defender, he has been a pillar of strength for his teams, often working in tandem with the right-cover to execute devastating chain tackles. Ernak’s defensive style is a blend of patience and aggression, waiting for the perfect moment to strike and bring the raider down. His contributions to his teams’ success are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
Ernak has been a consistent performer in the Pro Kabaddi League, and his defensive skills have been a key part of his teams’ strategies. He is known for his signature block, which he uses to bring down even the most powerful of raiders.
His ability to work in a team and execute a flawless defensive plan is a testament to his tactical brilliance. His consistent performance and his ability to deliver under pressure make him a deserving mention in any discussion of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. His intelligent play is why he is one of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Girish Maruti Ernak has over 350 tackle points in his PKL career, a testament to his defensive prowess. |
2. Manjeet Chhillar
Manjeet Chhillar is an all-rounder who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of kabaddi. His defensive prowess is built on his sheer strength and his ability to time his tackles to perfection, making him a nightmare for even the most agile of raiders. Chhillar’s aggressive style and his ability to contribute in both raiding and defending make him a unique and valuable player, a key reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As an all-rounder, Chhillar’s role is to contribute in both raiding and defending. In defense, he is known for his signature block and dash, which he uses to bring down raiders with a single, powerful move. His ability to lead a defensive unit and deliver crucial tackles in high-pressure situations has made him a fan favorite. His consistent performance and his ability to turn a match on its head are a clear reason he is on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. He is a true legend and a key part of our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Manjeet Chhillar holds the record for the most tackle points by an all-rounder in PKL history, with over 390 tackle points. |
1. Fazel Atrachali
Fazel Atrachali, the “Sultan,” is an Iranian defender who is widely regarded as the greatest defender in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. His defensive prowess is built on his sheer strength and his ability to time his tackles to perfection, making him a nightmare for even the most agile of raiders. Atrachali’s aggressive style and his ability to lead a defensive unit have made him a true legend of the sport and the number one on our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
As a left-corner defender, Atrachali’s role is to stop raiders from escaping towards the midline. He has a knack for catching a raider off guard with a sudden ankle hold, often bringing them down with a single, powerful move. He has been a leader for teams like U Mumba and Gujarat Giants, and his defensive contributions have been immense. His winning record and tactical brilliance are a key reason he is at the top of our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders. He is the greatest of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
| Stat | Fazel Atrachali is the first defender to score over 400 tackle points in PKL history |
FAQs :
Q1: Who has the most tackle points in PKL history?
A1: Fazel Atrachali holds the record for the most tackle points in PKL history, a key reason he is at the top of our list of Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
Q2: What is an ankle hold in kabaddi?
A2: An ankle hold is a defensive move where a defender grabs a raider’s ankle to stop them from crossing the midline, a move perfected by many of the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders
Q3: What is the role of a cover defender in kabaddi?
A3: A cover defender, such as a left-cover or right-cover, works with the corner defenders to stop raiders and execute a flawless defensive plan, a key part of the strategy for the Top 10 Kabaddi Defenders.
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